Aurora Sabrià1, Rosa M Pintó1, Albert Bosch1, Rosa Bartolomé2, Thais Cornejo2, Núria Torner3, Ana Martínez4, Mercedes de Simón5, Angela Domínguez6, Susana Guix7. 1. Enteric Virus Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, University of Barcelona, Avda Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Nutrition and Food Safety Research Institute (INSA-UB), University of Barcelona, Avda Prat de la Riba 171, 08921 Santa Coloma de Gramanet, Spain. 2. Laboratory of Microbiology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Pssg Vall d'Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain. 3. Department of Health, Generalitat of Catalonia, Roc Boronat 81-95, 08005 Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029 Madrid, Spain. 4. Department of Health, Generalitat of Catalonia, Roc Boronat 81-95, 08005 Barcelona, Spain. 5. Laboratory of the Public Health Agency, Pl. Lesseps 1, 08024 Barcelona, Spain. 6. CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Monforte de Lemos 5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; Department of Public Health, University of Barcelona, Casanova 143, 08036 Barcelona, Spain. 7. Enteric Virus Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, University of Barcelona, Avda Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Nutrition and Food Safety Research Institute (INSA-UB), University of Barcelona, Avda Prat de la Riba 171, 08921 Santa Coloma de Gramanet, Spain. Electronic address: susanaguix@ub.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Norovirus (NoV) is the most common cause of acute nonbacterial gastroenteritis outbreaks worldwide, but the impact of NoV infections in Spain remains underestimated. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and genetic diversity of NoVs causing outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis in Northeastern Spain (Catalonia) during 2010-2012, and to compare clinical features and levels of viral shedding of the most prevalent GII.4 2012 variant with its predecessor. STUDY DESIGN: NoVs were screened and genotyped in stools from gastroenteritis outbreaks. Genetic diversity over a region covering 50% of VP1, and viral loads were analyzed in stools belonging to GII.4 2009 and 2012 variants. RESULTS: More than 50% of outbreaks were caused by genotype GII.4, although outbreaks caused by multiple strains, GII.6 and GII.1 were also prevalent. During 2012, GII.4 2012 strains clearly replaced GII.4 2009 strains. The first 2012 strain was detected in February 2011, representing the earliest isolate reported worldwide. Epidemiological features of GII.4 2012 and GII.4 2009 outbreaks were comparable, as well as levels of viral shedding in stools. Finally, analysis of the capsid gene showed a higher amino acid variability and diversification in GII.4 2012, affecting sites located at the P2 domain, but also in the shell domain. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical features of outbreaks caused by different genotypes circulating in Spain, including outbreaks caused by GII.4 2012 and GII.4 2009 strains, were comparable. Although shed at similar levels than GII.4 2009 strains, GII.4 2012 strains have clearly replaced the previous predominant strain.
BACKGROUND: Norovirus (NoV) is the most common cause of acute nonbacterial gastroenteritis outbreaks worldwide, but the impact of NoV infections in Spain remains underestimated. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and genetic diversity of NoVs causing outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis in Northeastern Spain (Catalonia) during 2010-2012, and to compare clinical features and levels of viral shedding of the most prevalent GII.4 2012 variant with its predecessor. STUDY DESIGN: NoVs were screened and genotyped in stools from gastroenteritis outbreaks. Genetic diversity over a region covering 50% of VP1, and viral loads were analyzed in stools belonging to GII.4 2009 and 2012 variants. RESULTS: More than 50% of outbreaks were caused by genotype GII.4, although outbreaks caused by multiple strains, GII.6 and GII.1 were also prevalent. During 2012, GII.4 2012 strains clearly replaced GII.4 2009 strains. The first 2012 strain was detected in February 2011, representing the earliest isolate reported worldwide. Epidemiological features of GII.4 2012 and GII.4 2009 outbreaks were comparable, as well as levels of viral shedding in stools. Finally, analysis of the capsid gene showed a higher amino acid variability and diversification in GII.4 2012, affecting sites located at the P2 domain, but also in the shell domain. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical features of outbreaks caused by different genotypes circulating in Spain, including outbreaks caused by GII.4 2012 and GII.4 2009 strains, were comparable. Although shed at similar levels than GII.4 2009 strains, GII.4 2012 strains have clearly replaced the previous predominant strain.
Authors: Cristina Fuentes; Francisco J Pérez-Rodríguez; Aurora Sabrià; Nerea Beguiristain; Rosa M Pintó; Susana Guix; Albert Bosch Journal: Front Microbiol Date: 2021-01-12 Impact factor: 5.640
Authors: Camille Jacqueline; Manuel Del Valle Arrojo; Paloma Bellver Moreira; Maria Asunción Rodríguez Feijóo; Maria Cabrerizo; Maria Dolores Fernandez-Garcia Journal: Microbiol Spectr Date: 2022-07-14